Chapter Fifty–Four
“Kiss me,” I said.
“...What...?”
After leaving home, I‘d headed straight to where I knew they would be. Somewhere I knew that I definitely shouldn‘t be.
But there was no hesitation as I‘d confidently walked up and knocked on their door. And when Cai had answered, I‘d ignored his confusion and demanded the one thing I knew could make me feel better.
Because if it felt anywhere near as good as the first time, then maybe it would be enough to make me forget for a moment that everything was falling to pieces around me.
“Kiss me,” I repeated.
His eyes were wide, stunned at my request, but he wasn‘t moving. I could see he was still in the same attire he‘d been in earlier; the formal clothes making his body somehow look even more fitted.
I quietly sighed impatiently whilst his head tried to comprehend exactly what was happening.
“Aria–.”
However, I didn‘t wait for him to finish his sentence. It wasn‘t words I wanted right now... it was him.
I walked up and pulled on the collar of his shirt until his face was within reach of my own.
“Please, Cai...,” I whispered, as I looked up slowly from his lips to his eyes.
He was so close now that it caused a shiver of anticipation to run through my body. I needed this, I needed him, and I could see in his eyes that he wanted me too. The tension between us was becoming so intense that it felt tangible. 1
The cold night breeze swept around us and it only made the warmth coming from him even more inviting. I loosened the hand I had hooked onto his shirt and ran it all the way along his chest, feeling him under m y touch, until it rested on his broad shoulder. I wanted him closer, his body still feeling too far away.
My heart jumped a little when I saw him finally lean in closer and place his hand on the side of my head, his thumb resting against my cheek tenderly. And instinctively, I closed my eyes as I moved towards him, preparing myself for what would happen next.
But instead of feeling him against my lips, I felt him shift away... and kiss my cheek instead.
“No,” he said quietly. “Not like this.”
I snapped my eyes open to look at him.
“No… no, please, I need this,” I said and grabbed onto him tighter. “Please, Cai... I want you.”
He closed his eyes and looked pained, almost as if he was internally having a battle within himself.
“Aria–”
“No, you said you wanted me,” I said, my voice becoming more frantic. “Why are you doing this now?”
“Because I honestly don‘t know if it‘s me you want right now, or if it‘s just you finding an outlet for your grief.”
I could feel as my cheeks began to burn in humiliation, my eyes tearing up, and instantly I dropped my
side as if he‘d just stung me. His words left me embarrassed and hurt over his rejection, and... angry. Angry that everyone was choosing to disappoint me today of all days.
Chaptei Hity Out
saying that
yet somehow you‘re now on my doorstep begging for me. Excuse me if I‘m a little sceptical
This is what you wanted, right? You just wanted to sleep with
tried to grab at his hands but he took a step away, creating a small distance between us. I couldn‘t
whoever the hell this is right now. And I honestly think that maybe, deep down, you do actually want me too... but the way you‘re acting right now just tells me that
gritted my teeth. “There‘s nothing wrong with me...,”
it is part of the issue here.”
sighed, calming himself
even if that’s just as a friend. But I have more self–respect than to sit back and let you use me because of the feelings I have for you. Because I do want you... and I honestly want nothing more than for
to speak, to tell him he was wrong, but I couldn‘t find
want. Or tell me that you want my help, and I‘ll
head. This wasn‘t the sort of on the spot decision I had expected to
so,” he said
with this right now. I… I need to go.”
I could feel he was about to
where are you
was no point in
promise me you‘re going
I didn‘t stop. I kept walking. I kept walking not really knowing where I
unable to hold it in. I
had ended up doing the opposite when I‘d needed them most. I had needed Aleric to believe me, to take my side. I‘d needed my father to push for Thea‘s arrest, or at least confinement until it
out of my
Myra would still be alive and I wouldn‘t be fighting with
signs of the
father weren‘t willing to do what needed to be done, then
Fuck it.
again, walking with purpose towards the one place I could get my hands on somethingt o inflict as
piece, with the silver blade she used to kill
very second I thought of my plan to go see Thea; the Alpha command Aleric had placed on me. It wasn‘t happy with my intention to defy the order given to me. I winced, crying out in pain as it constricted
keep going no matter the cost. It was as if a car was thrown on top
too late to stop me.
Goddess, chosen, a Saintess, and no order should be able
finally broke off me like chains... and, instantly, I gasped with relief when the weight was lifted. It
...I was free.
picked myself back up and continued on my journey, my new freedom only coercing me onwards faster. I kept going until, finally, I came to the building where the evidence was kept locked up. The silver knife would be in there I knew, guarded by at least one warrior, but I wasn‘t concerned. Given how little time
here many times before during my Beta heir rounds but it felt like I was seeing it in a
weaved through the hallways, remembering the way easily until I saw the room up ahead. A room guarded by only
in a flat voice,
enter. “Beta heir? Why are you
up. It‘s for the
lie. It was definitely going to help with solving the issue of Myra‘s murderer on the
Chesterbrity Fou!
uncomfortable, and probably realised that
The evidence locker is kept shut until daylight hours. The warriors
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!